Interactive image display and selection system

ABSTRACT

An interactive image selection and display system having a image selection and display application that makes maps, images, and media stored in one or more server computers available to client devices in a common format including a graphic user interface depicted on a display surface which allows a user to select within an interactive visual representation a target area and view a plurality of images presented in serial order concurrent with the presentation of a location identifier matched to each image on the display surface and to further select one or more of the plurality of images for concurrent still presentation on the display surface and to retrieve media associated with each selected image and to retrievably store the interactive visual representation, target area, selected images, and associated media as an image bucket file.

This United States Non-Provisional Patent Application claims the benefitof U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/628,952, filed Nov. 9,2011, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/626,209, filed Sep.21, 2011, each hereby incorporated by reference herein.

I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

An interactive image selection and display system having a imageselection and display application that makes maps, images, and mediastored in one or more server computers available to client devices in acommon format including a graphic user interface depicted on a displaysurface which allows a user to select within an interactive visualrepresentation a target area and view a plurality of images presented inserial order concurrent with the presentation of a location identifiermatched to each image on the display surface and to further select oneor more of the plurality of images for concurrent still presentation onthe display surface and to retrieve media associated with each selectedimage and to retrievably store the interactive visual representation,target area, selected images, and associated media as an image bucketfile.

II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional image display systems typically allow a user access to asingle database to obtain images related to a word or phrase search. Theword or phrase entered into a search engine may retrieve text and imagesin Web pages or retrieve other service applications which can beutilized by the user to search the corresponding database such as webmapping service applications, real estate sales applications, tripplanning applications, or the like (collectively “serviceapplications”). Web mapping service applications typically retrievethematic maps or aerial or satellite images of an area. The user maythen interact with the planar representation of a thematic map or aerialor satellite images to select one or more locations within a planar viewof an area to retrieve and display on the thematic map or the aerial orsatellite images one or more images from the database matched to theselected locations.

One substantial problem with conventional service applications may bethat there is no interface which allows a user to concurrently accessmore than one database having images and data matched to a particularlocation selected by the user or to concurrently display those imagesand data separate from the aerial or satellite images on a displaysurface.

Another substantial problem with conventional service applications maybe that there is no interface which allows the user to define the boundsof a target area within an aerial or satellite or graphic representationof an area to retrieve all the images and data matched to locationswithin the target area.

Another substantial problem with conventional service applications maybe that there is no interface to allow and control serial presentationof each of a plurality of images and data matched to a correspondingplurality of locations within a selected target area of a aerial orsatellite image in a discrete visual field with concurrent display ofvisual location indicators of each of the plurality of images in thetarget area of the aerial or satellite image.

Another substantial problem with conventional service applications canbe that there may be no provision for selection of images and datamatched to locations within a target area for concurrent still displayin a visual field discrete from or outside of the representation of theaerial or satellite image or a selected target area.

Another substantial problem with conventional service applications canbe that there may be no provision for further refined database searchbased on the selection of images and data matched to locations within atarget area for concurrent still display discrete from or outside of therepresentation of the target area on a display surface.

Another substantial problem with conventional service applications maybe that there is no provision for self-directed exploration of locationsbased on the user's particular interest.

Another substantial problem with conventional service applications maybe that there is no provision to save selected images and associatedmedia along with an interactive representation of the target area of theaerial or satellite image in an image package which retrievably reopensto allow a user to continue adjustment of the target area, viewadditional images serially displayed and select images for or deleteimages from an image package.

Another substantial problem with conventional service applications maybe that there is no provision to share the image package with otherusers or travel providers for pricing.

The instant invention provides computer means, network means, and acomputer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions whichoperates to addresses each of the above identified problems associatedwith the conventional service applications.

III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A broad object of the invention can be to provide an image selection anddisplay system in the form of a computer readable medium havingcomputer-executable instructions which makes maps, images, and mediacontent stored on one or more computer servers available in a commonformat on one or more client devices interactive with a correspondingone or more users through the use of a graphic user interface whichdisplays a visual representation of an area on a display surface whichallows the user to select a target area within the visual representationof the area to concurrently display on the display surface in serialorder a plurality of images matched to locations within the target areaand to select a portion of the plurality of images for concurrentdisplay on the display surface with the selected images along withassociated media content storable as an image bucket file.

Another broad object of the invention can be to provide a user interfacefor depiction of an interactive visual representation of an area on adisplay surface where the visual representation of the area changes inresponse to user interactions to select a target area for retrieval of aplurality of images matched to locations within the target area and fromwhich the user can select images for concurrent still display on thedisplay surface and with the selected images and associated mediacontent retrievably storable in an image bucket file.

Another broad object of the invention can be to provide a computer meansand network means with the computer means being programmed to implementa graphic user interface which makes maps, images, and media contentstored on one or more computer available in a common format on one ormore client devices interactive with a corresponding one or more usersthrough the use of a graphic user interface which displays a visualrepresentation of an area on a display surface which allows the user toselect a target area within the visual representation of the area toconcurrently display on the display surface in serial order a pluralityof images matched to locations within the target area and to select aportion of the plurality of images for concurrent still display on thedisplay surface with the selected images along with associated mediacontent storable as a image display file.

Naturally, further objects of the invention are disclosed throughoutother areas of the specification, drawings, photographs, and claims.

IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a particular embodiment of an interactiveimage selection and display system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an illustrative computer means, networkmeans and computer-readable medium which provides computer-executableinstructions to provide an embodiment of the interactive image selectionand display system.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of particular embodiment of a graphic userinterface which displays in a common data format a visual representationof an area in a first visual field of a display surface.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a particular embodiment of a graphic userinterface which displays in a common data format a visual representationof an area in which a user interacts to generate or establish a visualframe which bounds a target area for retrieval of a plurality of imagesdisplayed in a second visual field in serial time bound presentation.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of particular embodiments of a visual framewhich can be established in a visual representation of an area to definea database access definition for retrieval of a plurality of images fromone or more server computers. FIG. 5A illustrates an embodiment of avisual frame which generates a database access definition as apopulation of location coordinates within the area defined by X/Ycoordinates of the vertices of a polygon. FIG. 5B illustrates anembodiment of a visual frame which generates a database accessdefinition as a population of location coordinates within the area of aradius sweep around X/Y coordinates of a center point. FIG. 5Cillustrates an embodiment of a visual frame which generates a databaseaccess definition as a population of location coordinates within thearea defined by the X/Y coordinates of the vertices of an irregularpolygon.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a data structure which lists allimages retrievable from one or more server computers based on thedatabase access definition of a visual frame generated in the visualrepresentation of an area.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a data structure which lists all theimages for serial ordered display retrievable from one or more servercomputers based on the database access definition of a visual frame andfurther limited based on one or more selected image database categories.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a particular embodiment of a graphic userinterface which allows a user to select particular images presented inserial order in the second visual field for still presentation in athird visual field.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a particular embodiment of a graphic userinterface which allows a user to retrieve associated data or to deleteparticular images.

FIG. 10 is illustration of a graphic user interface which in a commondata format allows a user to transfer or share the images presented in athird visual field and the associated data with another user.

V. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now referring primarily to FIGS. 1 and 2, which generally illustratecomputer means, certain network means, and computer readable media whichcan be utilized to practice embodiments of the invention. It is notintended that embodiments of the invention be practiced in only widearea computing environments or only in local computing environments, butrather the invention can be practiced in local computing environments orin distributed computing environments where functions or tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules may be located in both a local or in a remote memory storagedevice(s) or device elements.

Also while a preferred embodiment of the invention is described in thegeneral context of a processor in communication with a memory whichincludes a computer code or computer-executable instructions such as anapplication program and program modules which utilize routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, or the like, to performparticular functions or tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes, or the like, it is not intended that embodiments of the inventionbe limited to a particular computer code, set of computer-executableinstructions or protocols.

Now referring to primarily to FIG. 1, one or more client devices (1) canbe configured to connect with one or more server computers (2)(3)(4)(5)through a wide area network (55), such as the Internet (6), or one ormore local area networks (54) to transfer (8)(9)(10)(11) correspondingimages and data (12)(13)(14)(15). As to particular embodiments, the oneor more client devices (1) can take the form of a limited-capabilitycomputer designed specifically for navigation on the World Wide Web ofthe Internet (6). Alternatively, the one or more client devices (1)might be set-top boxes, intelligent televisions connected to receivedata through an entertainment medium such as a cable television networkor a digital satellite broadcast, hand-held devices such as smartphones, slate or pad computers, personal digital assistants orcamera/cell phone, or multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, or the like.

Again referring primarily to FIGS. 1 and 2, in general, each of the oneor more client devices (1) can include an Internet browser (16) such asMicrosoft's INTERNET EXPLORER, GOOGLE CHROME, MOZILLA FIREFOX, or thelike, which functions to download and render multimedia content that isformatted in “hypertext markup language” (HTML). In this environment, afirst server computer (2) might be programmed to implement the mostsignificant portions of a user interface (17). As to these embodiments,the application program (18) which implements the user interface (17)can be resident in the first server computer (2) (as shown in theexample of FIG. 1) and the one or more client devices (1) can use thebrowser (16) to simply display downloaded content and to relay userinputs back to the first server computer (2). The first server computer(2) would respond by formatting new screen displays (as shown in theillustrative examples of FIGS. 3-4 and 9-10) and downloading them fordisplay on one or more of the client devices (1).

In other embodiments, the one or more server computers (2)(3)(4)(5) canbe used primarily as sources of images and data (12)(13)(14)(15), withprimary responsibility for implementing the user interface (17) beingplaced upon each of the one or more client devices (1) (as shown in theexample FIG. 2). As to these embodiments, each of the one or more clientdevices (1) can run the application program (18) (also referred to asthe “image selection and display application program”) implementing theuser interface (17), to retrieve images and data (13) from a secondserver computer (3), advertising images and data (14) from a thirdserver computer (4), and a user content (15) from a fourth servercomputer (5). While illustrative examples in this description attributea certain type of data to a certain server computer for clarity, it isto be understood that various types of data may reside in one servercomputer or one type of data can be distributed among a plurality ofserver computers and embodiments of the invention can utilize servercomputers (2)(3)(4)(5) to a lesser or greater extent depending upon theapplication. The application program (18) further operates to provideimages and data (12)(13)(14)(15) obtained from one or more servercomputers (2)(3)(4)(5) in a common format, as further described below.

A user (19) can enter commands and information into one or more clientdevices (1) through input devices (20) such as a keyboard (21) or apointing device (22) such as a mouse (23); however, any method or devicethat converts user (19) action into commands and information can beutilized including, but not limited to: a microphone, joystick, gamepad, touch screen, or the like. A display surface (24) such as a monitorscreen or other type of display device can also be connected to a bus(25) via a video display interface (26), such as a video adapter, or thelike. The user interface (17) can in part be presented as an interactivegraphic user interface (27) on the display surface (24). In addition tothe display surface (24), each of the one or more client devices (1) canfurther include other peripheral output devices (28) such as speakers(29) and printers (30); although the peripheral output devices (28) arenot so limited.

Now referring primarily to FIG. 2, as an non-limiting example of aclient device (1), a client computer (31) can provide a processing unit(32), one or more memory elements (33), and a bus (25) (which operablycouples components of the client computer (31), including withoutlimitation the memory elements (33) to the processing unit (32). Theprocessing unit (32) can comprise one central-processing unit (CPU), ora plurality of processing units which operate in parallel to processdigital information. The bus (25) may be any of several types of busconfigurations including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheralbus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. Thememory element (33) can without limitation be a read only memory (ROM)(34) or a random access memory (RAM) (35), or both. A basic input/outputsystem (BIOS) (36), containing routines that assist transfer of databetween the components of the client computer (31), such as duringstart-up, can be stored in ROM (34). The client computer (31) canfurther include a hard disk drive (37) for reading from and writing to ahard disk (not shown), a magnetic disk drive (38) for reading from orwriting to a removable magnetic disk (39), and an optical disk drive(40) for reading from or writing to a removable optical disk (41) suchas a CD ROM or other optical media. The hard disk drive (37), magneticdisk drive (38), and optical disk drive (40) can be connected to the bus(25) by a hard disk drive interface (42), a magnetic disk driveinterface (43), and an optical disk drive interface (44), respectively.The drives and their associated computer-readable media providenonvolatile storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules and other data for the client computer (31). It can beappreciated by those skilled in the art that any type ofcomputer-readable media that can store data that is accessible by acomputer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital videodisks, Bernoulli cartridges, random access memories (RAMs), read onlymemories (ROMs), and the like, may be used in a variety of operatingenvironments. A number of program modules may be stored on or includedin the hard disk drive (37), magnetic disk (39), optical disk (41), ROM(34), or RAM (35), including an operating system (45), one or aplurality of application programs (46) and in particular the imageselection and display application program(s) (18) which implement theuser interface (17) or other program interfaces.

A “click event” occurs when the user (19) operates a applicationfunction through the use of a command which for example can includepressing or releasing the left mouse button (47) while a pointer (48) islocated over a control icon (49) (or other interactive field whichactivates a function) displayed in the graphic user interface (27).However, it is not intended that a “click event” be limited to the pressand release of the left button (47) on a mouse (50) while a pointer (48)is located over a control icon (49) (or field), rather, a “click event”is intend to broadly encompass a command by the user (19) through whicha function of image selection and display application program (18) (orother program, application, module or the like) including the userinterface application (17) which implements the graphic user interface(27) can be activated or performed, whether through selection of one ora plurality of control icon(s) (49) or fields, or by user voice command,keyboard stroke, mouse button, touch on a touch screen, or otherwise. Itis further intended that control icons (49) can be configured ordisplayed without limitation as a bullets, point, a circle, a triangle,a square, a polygon (or other geometric configurations or combinationsor permutations thereof), or as fields or boundary elements created indisplayed images, or as fields in which locations, addresses, or otherterms can be entered manually or by operation of the image selection anddisplay application program (18), or a portion or element thereof, suchas: a street address, a zip code, a county code, a natural area code, alatitude/longitude, projected coordinate X and Y, or other notation,script, character, or the like.

The client computer (31) may operate in a networked environment usingone or more logical connections (51)(52) to connect to one or more ofserver computers (2)(3)(4)(5). These logical connections (51)(52) can beachieved by one or more communication devices (53) coupled to or a partof the client computer (31); the invention is not limited to aparticular type of communications device (53). The one or more servercomputers (2)(3)(4)(5) can be another computer, a server, a router, anetwork PC, a client, a peer device or other common network node, andcan include a part or all of the elements above-described relative tothe client computer (31). The logical connections (51)(52) depicted inFIG. 2 can include a local-area network (LAN) (54) or a wide-areanetwork (WAN) (55). Such networking environments are commonplace andinclude for example: enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets,wireless networks, global satellite networks, cellular phone networksand the Internet (6), or the like.

When used in a LAN-networking environment, the client computer (31) canbe connected to the LAN (54) through a network interface (56) oradapter, which is one type of communications device (53). When used in aWAN-networking environment, the client computer (31) typically includesa modem (57), a type of communications device (53), or other type ofcommunications device for establishing communications over the WAN (55),such as the Internet (6) (as shown in the example of FIG. 1). The modem(57), which may be internal or external, is connected to the bus (30)via the serial port interface (58). In a networked environment, programmodules depicted relative to the client computer (31), or portionsthereof, may be as to certain embodiments of the invention be stored inthe one or more server computers (2)(3)(4)(5) (as shown in the examplesof FIGS. 1 and 2). It is appreciated that the network connections shownare exemplary and other means of and communications devices forestablishing a communications link between the computers can be used.

Again referring primarily to FIGS. 1 and 2, the client computer (31) canencompass a single client computer or can encompass a plurality ofclient computers (31) each of which can be operated by a user (19). Theuser (19) can be a person, a plurality of persons, a business entity, orotherwise, can access to the image selection and display applicationprogram (18) including the user interface (17) to retrieve data andimages (12)(13)(14)(15) from one or more server computers (2)(3)(4)(5)in a common format for display in the graphic user interface (27) ondisplay surface (24).

Now referring to FIGS. 1, 3 through 5, and 8 through 10 which show anexemplary embodiment of the graphic user interface (27) in accordancewith the invention. The graphic user interface (27) can be implementedusing various technologies and different devices, depending on thepreferences of the designer and the particular efficiencies desired fora given circumstance. By click event the user (19) can activate theimage selection and display application program (18) which in partfunctions to operate the user interface module (17) which functions todisplay an interactive graphic user interface (27) on a display surface(24). The application program (18) further includes a visual navigationspace generator (59) which generates a visual navigation space (60). Thevisual navigation space (60) can take any viewable form having anynumber of dimensions, any manner of symmetry, geometric properties,whether finite or infinite, which can be adapted to allow selectionwhether serially or simultaneously one or a plurality of locations (61)(whether by pointer, coordinates such as X, Y or X, Y, Z, drop downlist, key word in a search field (62), photograph or data locations,photo captions, photo attribute data generated by a camera or otherdevices, location related advertising information, keywords derived fromadvertising information or search criteria derived from all of theabove, or the like) within the visual navigation space (60).

In the example provided by FIG. 3, the visual navigation space generator(59) retrieves from a first computer server database (2) a visualnavigation space (60) in the form of a visual representation of an area(63), whether in whole or in part, which can be continuous ordiscontinuous, and displayed on a display surface (24) as a graphical,an aerial, a satellite, or other image form. For example, theapplication program (18) can access a first server computer (2) whichcan serve as examples GOOGLE MAPS, MAPQUEST, PANORAMIO, or the like, toretrieve and display the visual representation of an area (63) which canbe in the form of a map (64) (regardless of visual form such as ageographic representation of an area, a geo-planar map, a photograph, orthe like) and as to certain embodiments a visual field generator (65)can display a first visual field (66) on the display surface (24). Inthe illustrative example of FIG. 3, the visual representation of an area(63) is in the form of a stylized geographic representation of an areaor geographic map (64) including, at the displayed scale, the East Coastof the United States and Caribbean and further including certaingeographic and administrative boundaries such as such as states,counties, cities, towns or residential areas and upon increasing scalefurther including roadways, and prominent geographic and manmadestructures, or the like; however, it is not intended that embodiments ofthe visual representation of an area (63) necessarily include indicatorsof geographic or administrative boundaries, roadways, or the like.

A navigation controller (67) can be operably coupled to the visualrepresentation of the area (63) to allow the visual representation ofthe area (63) to be moved directionally on the display surface (24) (forexample with a pan tool) to display areas of the visual representationof an area (63) which at the displayed scale, lie outside of the displaysurface (24) or as to certain embodiments outside of the first visualfield (66). As to certain embodiments, the navigation controller (67)can take the form of navigation controls (68) displayed on the displaysurface (24). As to certain embodiments, the navigation controls (68)can be displayed in the form of one or more arrows (69) correspondinglypointing in one or more cardinal directions. An arrow (69) by clickevent activates the application program (18) to move the view of therepresentation of the area (63) directionally on the display surface(24) (as shown in the example of FIG. 3 North, South, East, or West)

The navigation controller (67) can further include an image scalecontrol (70) operably coupled to the visual representation of the area(63) to allow the representation of the area (63) to be increased ordecreased in scale on the display surface (for example with a zoomtool). As to certain embodiments, the image scale control (70) can bedisplayed on the display surface (24) in the form of a slider element(71) which can be dragged up or down to correspondingly increase ordecrease the scale of the visual representation of an area (63) viewedon the display surface (24) and can further include a plus icon (72) ora minus icon (73) which by click event correspondingly increases ordecreases scale of the visual representation of an area (63). However,these examples of directionally moving and altering scale of the visualrepresentation of an area (63) are illustrative and other embodimentscan allow the visual representation of an area (63) to be directionallymoved or altered in scale by click event including one or more of keystroke, mouse drag, menu, toolbar, or the like.

Now referring primarily to FIG. 4, the user (19) can interactivelyselect a target area (74) within the visual representation of the area(63) displayed on the display surface (24). As to particularembodiments, a visual frame generator (75) of the application program(18) can display a cursor (76) or other type of viewable indicia on thedisplay surface (24) which allows the user (19) by click event toestablish a visual frame (77) about a target area (74) in the visualrepresentation of an area (63). While the visual frame (77) shown in theexample of FIG. 4 includes a substantially square boundary which boundsand defines a substantially square target area (74); the user (19) canestablish the visual frame (77) in the visual representation of the area(63) in any manner which bounds at least a portion of the visualrepresentation of the area (63). As shown by the illustrative examplesof FIGS. 5A through 5C, the visual frame can be configured by the user(19) as a rectangle, circle, oval, irregular polygon, free form shape,or otherwise.

Again referring primarily to FIG. 5, as to particular embodiments, theuser (19) can adjust the visual frame (77) displayed in the visualrepresentation of an area (63), as above described, or based onselection of one or more target area criteria (78), or both. The targetarea criteria (78) can be any area which can be defined in a coordinatesystem, such as Cartesian, Cylindrial Polar, Spherical Polar, or otheruser defined coordinate system. As examples, target area criteria (78)can include one or more of or be selected from the group consisting of:a continent, a country, a state (as shown in the example of FIG. 3), acounty, a city, a neighborhood, a latitude coordinate, a longitudecoordinate (as shown in the examples of FIG. 5A through 5C), anelevation coordinate, a postal zone area, a political area, anadministrative area, a polygon calculation area, an centroid area (asshown in FIG. 5B), one or more latitude/longitude coordinates (as shownin the example of FIGS. 5A and 5C), a habitat area, a watershed area, ageographic boundary data area, a demographic data boundary area, or thelike, and combinations thereof.

The target area criteria (78) can be displayed on the display surface(24) in any manner which allows clickable selection by the user (19) andby way of illustrative example: drop down lists including countries,states, counties, cities, towns, zip codes, or the like; search fields(62) (as shown in the example of FIG. 1) in which street addresses, zipcodes, county codes, natural area codes, latitude/longitude coordinatesor projected coordinate X and Y, polygon coordinates, centroid areacoordinates, or the like, can be entered manually or enteredautomatically by operation of the application program (18), or a portionor element thereof.

Selection of the target area (74) whether by use of a cursor (76) orother indicator in the visual representation of an area (63) or byselection of target area criteria (78) activates an image retrievalmodule (79) of the image selection and display application program (18).The image retrieval module (79) functions to retrieve from a secondserver computer (3) one or more images (13) each matched or otherwiseassociated with an image location (80) having location coordinates (81)within the target area (74) of the visual representation of an area(63).

As to particular embodiments, the user (19) can further limit retrievalof images (13) within the target area (74) based on selection of one ormore image database categories (82). A database category (82) can be anycategory which can be matched to one or more specific databases orportions thereof for the purpose of retrieving a subset of data andimages (12)(13)(14)(15). Examples of image database categories (82)include or can be selected from the group consisting of: a residentialhousing database, a rental property database, an automobile database, avacation home database, a commercial property database, a retail saleslocation database, a restaurant location database, a movie theatredatabase, a WiFi hotspot database, a trails database, a local parksdatabase, a state parks database, a national parks database, traveldestinations database, a hotels database, a transportation database, abeaches database, a music venue database, a URL location database, amobile ID database, a travel advertising database, a travel providerdatabase, an airline database, a rental car database, a travel agentdatabase, a webcam database, a traffic condition database, a weathercondition database, a crime location database, a news event database,and a past events database.

The image database categories (82) can be displayed on the displaysurface (24) in any manner which allows clickable selection by the user(19) and by way of illustrative example: drop down lists, visual fieldsin which particular database access information such as an Internetprotocol address, or the like, can be entered manually or enteredautomatically by operation of the application program (18), or a portionor element thereof.

The term “image (13)” as used herein refers to a graphicalrepresentation which can be displayed on the display surface (24), alongwith the associated metadata or other data which matches, couples orlinks the image to the image location (80), location coordinates (81),date and time stamp, or other media (83) (whether or not displayable onthe display surface) such as: a person, a place, an animal, an object,one or more characters, words or other media (83) such as video or videoclips, or the like. Accordingly, the use of the term “image” whether aspart of the description or claims does not limit the term to onlygraphical representations but further includes the associated data toimplement use of the images (13) in accordance with any embodiment ofthe invention.

The image retrieval module (79) can further operate to display the oneor more images (13) obtained or retrieved from the second servercomputer (3) (or other server computer or database) on the displaysurface (24). As to particular embodiments, the images (13) can bepresented on the display surface (24) for viewing as a series of stillimages (also referred to as serial order display or serially displayed).The series of still images (13) can be presented in random order or insome degree of pre-determined order. Particular embodiments provide timebound presentation of each image in serial order (each image in serialorder displayed for a duration of time). As to particular embodiments,the visual field generator (65) can concurrently display a second visualfield (84) discrete from the first visual field (66) in which the images(13) can be displayed. The image retrieval module (79) can furtherfunction to display a visual location indicator (85) to identify theimage location (80) matched to an image (13) displayed on the displaysurface (24). The visual location indicator (85) can be displayed duringthe period of time corresponding to display of an image (13) on thedisplay surface (24) or highlighted (by change in color, size, shape, orthe like) in relation to other visual location indicators (85) duringthe period of time corresponding to display of an image (13) on thedisplay surface (24).

As to particular embodiments, the user (19) can alter order of serialpresentation of the images (13) by selection of one or more serial orderdisplay criteria (86). Illustrative examples of serial order displaycriteria (86) include or can be selected from the group consisting of:an image creation location, an image creation date, an image creationtime, a cardinal direction, a first cardinal direction toward a secondcardinal direction, a first geographic location toward a secondgeographic location, or the like, or combinations thereof.

The serial order display criteria (86) can be displayed on the displaysurface (24) in any manner which allows clickable selection by the user(19) and by way of illustrative example: drop down lists which includerandom order, serial ordering based on category of subject matter suchas parks, beaches, restaurants, bars, or the like; serial ordering basedon countries, states, counties, cities, towns, zip codes, serialordering based on time of image creation, or the like; visual fieldswhich allow serial ordering based on street addresses, zip codes, countycodes, natural area codes, latitude/longitude coordinates or projectedcoordinate X and Y, polygon coordinates, centroid area coordinatesallowing serial ordering of from the center point outward, travel route,or the like, can be entered manually or entered automatically byoperation of the application program (18), or a portion or elementthereof.

Again referring primarily to FIGS. 3 and 4, the application program (18)can further include a visual image presentation controller (87) whichallows the user (19) to control presentation of a plurality of images(13) on the display surface (24) and as to particular embodiments in thesecond visual field (84). As to certain embodiments, the visual imagepresentation controller (87) generates image presentation controls (88)on the display surface (24). As shown in the example of FIG. 4, a startcontrol (89) by click event commences serial presentation of images (13)on the display surface (24) in the second visual field (84). A pausecontrol (90) by click event pauses presentation of images (13), a rewindcontrol (91) which by click event re-presents images (13) in reverseserial order, a fast forward control (92) which by click event increasesthe rate at which images (13) serially presented in the second visualfield (84). As to certain embodiments, the visual image presentationcontroller (87) further functions to allow adjustment of the timeduration of image display on the display surface (24).

As shown by the illustrative example of FIG. 4 and FIGS. 5A through 5Cand 6, the user (19) can select a portion of the visual representationof an area (63), as above described, in a first visual field (66). Theuser (19) can then generate a visual frame (77), as above described,which in the illustrative example of FIG. 4 surrounds the Bermuda areaand by click event the user (19) selects the visual frame (77) to definethe Bermuda area as the target area (74). As shown in FIG. 5A, thevisual frame (57) can define a subset of location coordinates (81) (Xand Y) included in the target area (74) bound by the visual frame (57)and the image retrieval module (79) can retrieve and display imagesmatched to the subset of location coordinates (81) (X and Y) bounded bythe visual frame (77). As shown in FIG. 6, a first data structure (93)lists all images (13) retrievable from one or more server computersbased on the selected visual representation of the area (53). The images(identified as images 1-5 under the column “Image ID” (94)) have pairsof location coordinates X and Y (listed respectively under columns “X”(95) and “Y” (96)) located within the visual representation of the area(63) that can be retrieved from one or more of the server computers(2)(3)(4)(5). Now referring to FIG. 7, a second data structure (97)lists the subset of all images (13) retrievable from one or more servercomputers (2)(3)(4)(5) based on the target area (74) defined by thevisual frame (77). The images (13) (identified as images 1-3 under thecolumn “Image ID” (94)) have pairs of location coordinates (81) (listedrespectively under columns “X” (95) and “Y” (96)) located within thetarget area (74) that can be retrieved from one or more of the servercomputers (2)(3)(4)(5).

Again referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the user (19) by click event canfurther select one or more image database categories (82) (shown in theexamples of FIGS. 6 and 7 under “Database 1” (98) and “Database N” (99))to corresponding narrow the retrieval of a plurality of images (13) tocertain databases or portions thereof which may be located in one ormore server computers 2)(3)(4)(5). In the example of FIG. 7, the imagedatabase categories (82) selected “Hotel Database” (100) and “RestaurantDatabase” (101) and further corresponding selection of “Beach Database”(102) and “Mountain Database” (103) further depending from the HotelDatabase (100) and “Italian” (104) as further depending from theRestaurant Database (101) limited the retrieval of images (13) to thoseincluding either hotels associated with beaches or mountains orrestaurants associated with Italian. Understandably, any image (13) canbe included in one or more databases and can include metadata or otherdata to allow retrieval based upon user (19) selection of one or moreassociated database categories (82).

The image retrieval module (79) retrieves images (13) from imagelocations (80) within the Bermuda area as bounded by the visual frame(77) as further limited by selection of the image database categories(82), and displays in time bound serial order presentation images (13)in the second visual field (84) of the graphic user interface (27) (theexample of FIG. 4 displaying “Image ID-1” (105) an image (13) of a hotelassociated with a beach). Also as shown in FIG. 4 the image retrievalmodule (79) can further function to correspondingly generate a visuallocation indicator (85) in target area (74) which identifies (orhighlights or both) the image location (80) of the image (13) of thehotel associated with the beach (Image ID-1 (105)). If, as a secondillustrative example, the user (19) selected the image database category(82) “Rental Property” (106), then the image retrieval module (79) wouldfunction to retrieve a plurality of images (13) within the Bermuda areaonly from rental property databases and order the plurality of images(13) for rental properties for serial presentation in the second visualfield (84).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 8, the image selection and displayapplication program (18) can further include an advertisement imageretrieval module (107). The advertisement image retrieval module (107)functions to search and retrieve from a third server computer (4) one ormore advertisement images (14) from within the target area (74) (orcoupled to location coordinates (81) within the target area (74)) of thevisual representation of an area (63) selected by the user (19). Theterm “advertisement image” broadly encompasses a representation of aperson, animal, thing, logos, words, or other information utilized tooffer a product or service and further includes associated metadata orother data which couples or links the image to the image location (80),location coordinates (81), date and time stamp, or to a variety of othermedia (83) which may or may not be displayed on the display surface(24). The advertisement image retrieval module (107) operates tocoordinate the serial time bound presentation of the advertisementimages (14) interspersed with the images (13) retrieved by the imageretrieval module (79) in the second visual field (84). The advertisementimage retrieval module (107) further generates a visual locationindicator (85) to identify within the target area (74) the advertisementimage location (80) (location coordinates (81)) matched to eachpresented advertisement image (14). As shown in the illustrative exampleof FIG. 5, the user (19) generates a visual frame (77) which surroundsthe Bermuda area and by click event selects the Bermuda area as thetarget area (74). The advertisement image retrieval module (107)retrieves advertisement images (14) from locations within the Bermudaarea and presents the advertisement images (14) in the second visualfield (84) of the graphic user interface (25), such as the advertisementimage (14) of the Grotto Bay Beach Resort Bermuda shown in FIG. 5 andcorrespondingly generates a visual location indicator (85) in targetarea (74) which identifies the image location (80) (location coordinates(81)) of the Grotto Bay Beach Resort in the Bermuda area.

Now referring primarily to FIG. 8, the application program (18) furtherincludes an image selection control (108) which allows the user (19) toselect one or more of the images (13) or advertising images (14)displayed on the display surface (24). As to certain embodiments, theimage selection control (108) allows the user (19) to select an image(13) during serial display on the display surface (24) or time boundserial display in the second visual field (84) depending upon theembodiment. The image selection control (108) by click eventcorresponding with the presentation of an image (13) (or advertisementimage (14)) functions to discretely retrievably store one or moreselected images (109) and associated media (83) in a portion of a memory(33). In FIG. 8, the image selection control (108) functions to displayan image bucket icon (110) on the display surface (24) which can beactivated by click event to select one more images (13)(14) to beretrievably retained in memory (33) (also shown in the example of FIG. 8as an image bucket (111)); however, the invention is not so limited, andthe image selection control (108) take the form of any manner of clickevent.

As to particular embodiments, the image selection control (108) canfurther function to display selected images (109) on the display surface(24). A shown in the example of FIG. 8, the selected images (109) can bedisplayed as one or more still images (112) in a third visual field(113) concurrently displayed with the first and second visual fields(66)(84) on the display surface (24). The image selection control (108)can further function to present proximate each selected image (109)displayed on the display surface (24) a media retrieval icon (114) whichby click event activates a link to connect the client device (1) withthe media (83) matched with the selected image (109) for retrieval anddisplay on the display surface (24).

The application program (18) can further include a save module (115)which allows the user (19), having selected images (109) associated withthe target area (74) within the visual representation of an area (63),to retrievably save the image bucket (111) as an image bucket file (116)in a image file database (117) of a fourth computer server (5) or of theclient device (1). The image bucket file (116) can include all theselected images (109) and associated media (83) along with the visualrepresentation of an area (63) retaining the target area (74). The savemodule (115) can be activated by click event. As shown in the example ofFIG. 8, by click event of the image bucket (111) on the display surface(24).

The application program (18) can further include a retrieval module(118) which by click event allows retrieval of an image bucket file(116) from the fourth computer server (5) which and functions to openthe image bucket file (116) to display on the display surface (24) thevisual representation of the area (63) including the visual frame (77)(which can be displayed in the first visual field (66)) and the selectedimages (109) in the image bucket file (116) along with the associatedmedia retrieval icons (114) (which can be displayed in the third visualfield (113)). Use of the start control (89) activates the imageretrieval module (79) which commences time bound serial presentation ofadditional images (13) and advertisement images (14) on the displaysurface (24) (which can be in the second visual field (84)), as abovedescribed.

The user (19) can adjust the target area (74) as above described toinclude a greater or lesser target area (74) from which the imageretrieval module (79) retrieves matched images (13) and advertisementimages (14) from the corresponding second computer server (3) and thirdcomputer server (4). As to particular embodiments of the invention, theact of increasing the target area (74) bound by a visual frame (77) toextend a portion of the target area (74) bound by the visual frame (77)can correspondingly include images (13)(14) and associated media (83)matched to the extended portion (119) of the target area (74) for serialordered presentation on the display surface (24) (as shown in theexample of FIG. 8). As to particular embodiments of the invention, theact of reducing the target area (74) bound by a visual frame (77) toexclude a portion of the target area (74) bound by the visual frame (77)can correspondingly exclude that portion of the images (13)(14) andassociated media (75) matched to the excluded portion (120) of thetarget area (74) which removes the images (13)(14) from or for serialordered presentation on the display surface (24) (as shown in theexample of FIG. 8). As to particular embodiments, the image retrievalmodule (79) can further function to delete that portion of the selectedimages (109) and associated media (83) corresponding to the excludedportion (120) which are included in the image bucket file (116) and canfurther function to remove this portion of the still images (112) andassociated media (83) from display on the display surface (24).

The user (19) can then interact with the graphic user interface (25) asabove described to select additional images (13)(14) serially presentedon the display surface (24) (which can be in the second visual filed(84)) for still presentation on the display surface (24) (which can bein the third visual field (113) along with the associated mediaretrieval icons (114) and by click event added to the image bucket file(76). The revised image bucket file (76) can be retrievably saved to thefourth computer server (5).

Now referring primarily to FIG. 9, the image selection and displayapplication program (18) can further include an image bucket edit module(130) which allows the user (19) to delete one, a plurality, or all ofthe selected images (109) from the image bucket (111) and from displayon the display surface (24) (which can be in the third visual field(113)). As a non-limiting example, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the user(19) can by click event on a delete image icon (121) (the “X” icon (122)shown in the example of FIG. 9) to delete particular selected images(109) from still image (112) display on the display surface (24) (whichcan be in the third visual field (113)), or can delete all of theselected images (109) by click event on a delete bucket icon (123) (the“Clear” icon (124) shown in the example of FIG. 9). The image bucketedit module (130) can further function to alter the scale of the visualrepresentation of an area (63) or target area (74) bounded by the visualframe (77) (which can be displayed in the first visual field (66))concurrent with the deletion of still images (112) from the displaysurface (24) (in the third visual field (113)). For example, if the user(19) removes one or more of the still images (112) in the third visualfield (113), the image bucket edit module (130) correspondingly adjuststhe boundary of the visual representation of an area (63), the visualframe (77) and the corresponding target area (74), if a lesser areaencompasses all the locations (80) of the still images (112) displayedin the third visual field (113).

Similarly, if the user (19) by selection of images (13)(14) seriallydisplayed on the display surface (24) (which can be in the second visualfield (84)) or from another image database (125) adds a selected image(109) to the display surface as a still image (112) (which can be in thethird visual field (113)) or to the image bucket (111), the trip bucketedit module (130) correspondingly functions to adjust or alter the scaleof the visual representation of an area (63), if a lesser scale isnecessary to encompass all the locations (80) of the selected images(109) displayed as still images (112) on the third visual field (113) orretained in the image bucket (111) and can further function to alter orextend the visual frame (77) and the corresponding target area (74) toencompass all the image locations (80) of the selected images (109). Theadjusted bounds of the visual representation of an area (63) can bedisplayed by click event on image bucket area view icon (125). In theillustrative example shown in FIG. 9, the user (19) can display theadjusted bounds of the visual representation of an area (63) by clickevent on the “Map View” icon (126).

Now referring primarily to FIGS. 1, 2 and 10, the image selection anddisplay application program (18) can further include an image buckettransfer module (133) which can function to display a second interactivegraphic user interface (127) which allows the user (19) to transfer (11)a image bucket file (116) along with the image selection and displayapplication program (18), in whole or in part, to one or more clientdevices (1) allowing a plurality of users (19) to share and revise theimage bucket file (116). As illustrated in FIG. 9, the user (19) can byclick event display the second interactive graphic user interface (127).The selected images (109) can be concurrently displayed as still images(112) in a first visual field (128) of the second graphic user interface(127) with delete image icons (121) as above described. The target area(74) can be displayed in a second visual field (129) of the secondgraphic user interface (127) including a visual location indicator (85)showing the image location (80) of each still image (112). A transferimage bucket icon (131) (for example the “share icon” (132) as shown inFIG. 10) can by click event activate the save module (115) to save theselected still images (112) displayed in the first visual field (128) ofthe second user interface (127) along with associated media (83) anddata to a image bucket file (116). The image bucket transfer module(133) further functions to couple a link (145) to the image bucket file(116) to be shared. The image bucket transfer module (133) can furtherdisplay a link image (146) in a link image area (135) of a third visualfield (136) of the second user interface (127). The user (19) cantransfer (11) the interactive link image (134) to another client device(1) by e-mail or the like. The recipient user (19) can utilize the linkimage (146) to retrieve the contents of the image bucket file (116)associated with the link (145). The image selection and displayapplication program (18) the provides the graphic user interface (27) inwhich the retrieved images and selected images (13)(14)(71) contained inthe image bucket file (116) can be displayed and manipulated by therecipient user (19), as above described.

Now referring primarily to FIG. 1, one or more of the image bucket files(116) can uploaded or downloaded (135) to one or more server computers(136) and databases (137) separately or along with the image selectionand display application program (18) including a product pricing request(138) to allow a plurality of vendors (139) to reply to an image bucketdatabase (140) with product pricing information (141) on the imagebucket file (116). As one example, the one or more image bucket files(116) can be uploaded or downloaded in the form of a trip organizationand pricing request (142) to allow a plurality of travel providers (143)to reply to the image bucket database (140) with trip organization andpricing information (144) based on the trip bucket file (116).

As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts ofthe present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. Theinvention involves numerous and varied embodiments of an interactiveimage selection trip planning system including the best mode of theinvention. As such, the particular embodiments or elements of theinvention disclosed by the description or shown in the figures or tablesaccompanying this application are not intended to be limiting, butrather exemplary of the numerous and varied embodiments genericallyencompassed by the invention or equivalents encompassed with respect toany particular element thereof. In addition, the specific description ofa single embodiment or element of the invention may not explicitlydescribe all embodiments or elements possible; many alternatives areimplicitly disclosed by the description and figures.

It should be understood that each element of an apparatus or each stepof a method may be described by an apparatus term or method term. Suchterms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitlybroad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As but one example,it should be understood that all steps of a method may be disclosed asan action, a means for taking that action, or as an element which causesthat action. Similarly, each element of an apparatus may be disclosed asthe physical element or the action which that physical elementfacilitates. As but one example, the disclosure of “a computer” shouldbe understood to encompass disclosure of the act of “computing”—whetherexplicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectivelydisclosure of the act of “computing”, such a disclosure should beunderstood to encompass disclosure of “a computer” and even a “means forcomputing.” Such alternative terms for each element or step are to beunderstood to be explicitly included in the description.

In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unlessits utilization in this application is inconsistent with suchinterpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood to beincluded in the description for each term as contained in the RandomHouse Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition, each definitionhereby incorporated by reference.

All numeric values herein are assumed to be modified by the term“about”, whether or not explicitly indicated. For the purposes of thepresent invention, ranges may be expressed as from “about” oneparticular value to “about” another particular value. When such a rangeis expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular valueto the other particular value. The recitation of numerical ranges byendpoints includes all the numeric values subsumed within that range. Anumerical range of one to five includes for example the numeric values1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, and so forth. It will be furtherunderstood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant bothin relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the otherendpoint. When a value is expressed as an approximation by use of theantecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular valueforms another embodiment. The term “about” generally refers to a rangeof numeric values that one of skill in the art would consider equivalentto the recited numeric value or having the same function or result.

Moreover, for the purposes of the present invention, the term “a” or“an” entity refers to one or more of that entity unless otherwiselimited. As such, the terms “a” or “an”, “one or more” and “at leastone” can be used interchangeably herein.

Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to claim at least: i) eachof the interactive image selection and display devices herein disclosedand described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii)similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of thesedevices and methods, iv) those alternative embodiments which accomplisheach of the functions shown, disclosed, or described, v) thosealternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functionsshown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed anddescribed, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate andindependent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the varioussystems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products producedby such systems or components, ix) methods and apparatuses substantiallyas described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanyingexamples, x) the various combinations and permutations of each of theprevious elements disclosed.

The background section of this patent application provides a statementof the field of endeavor to which the invention pertains. This sectionmay also incorporate or contain paraphrasing of certain United Statespatents, patent applications, publications, or subject matter of theclaimed invention useful in relating information, problems, or concernsabout the state of technology to which the invention is drawn toward. Itis not intended that any United States patent, patent application,publication, statement or other information cited or incorporated hereinbe interpreted, construed or deemed to be admitted as prior art withrespect to the invention.

The claims set forth in this specification, if any, are herebyincorporated by reference as part of this description of the invention,and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or aportion of such incorporated content of such claims as additionaldescription to support any of or all of the claims or any element orcomponent thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves theright to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of suchclaims or any element or component thereof from the description into theclaims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for whichprotection is sought by this application or by any subsequentapplication or continuation, division, or continuation-in-partapplication thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in feespursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations ofany country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shallsurvive during the entire pendency of this application including anysubsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part applicationthereof or any reissue or extension thereon.

The claims set forth in this specification, if any, are further intendedto describe the metes and bounds of a limited number of the preferredembodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as the broadestembodiment of the invention or a complete listing of embodiments of theinvention that may be claimed. The applicant does not waive any right todevelop further claims based upon the description set forth above as apart of any continuation, division, or continuation-in-part, or similarapplication.

We claim:
 1. A method, comprising: displaying a graphical user interface on a display surface of a computer; displaying in said graphical user interface a visual representation of a geographic area; generating a visual frame in said visual representation of said geographic area to bound a target area, causing: retrieval of a plurality of images from an image database, each correspondingly matched to target area locations within said target area; and display of said plurality of images on said display surface of said computer; selecting a subset of said plurality of images displayed on said display surface of said computer, each of said subset of said plurality of images correspondingly matched to said target area locations within said target area; and deleting a portion of images from said subset of said plurality images to correspondingly adjust said visual frame in said visual representation of said geographic area to exclude said target area locations matched to said portion of images deleted from said subset of said plurality of images displayed on said display surface.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising adding one or more images from said image database directly into said subset of images displayed on said display surface to correspondingly adjust said visual frame in said visual representation of said geographic area to further include said target area locations matched to said one or more images added to said subset of images displayed on said display surface.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: transferring said data associated with said subset of said plurality of images to one or more client devices; and displaying on a display surface of said one or more client devices, said visual representation of said geographic area, said visual frame within said visual representation of said geographic area which bounds said target area, and said subset of said plurality of images correspondingly matched to said target area locations within said target area.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: saving said data associated with said subset of said plurality of images; retrieving said data associated with said subset of said plurality of images; and displaying on said display surface of said computer, said visual representation of said geographic area, said visual frame within said visual representation of said geographic area which bounds said target area, and said subset of said plurality of images correspondingly matched to said target area locations within said target area.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising transferring said data associated with said subset of said plurality of images in the form of a pricing request to said one or more client devices.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting said visual frame in said visual representation of said geographic area to adjust said target area in said visual representation of said geographic area to correspondingly alter retrieval of said plurality of images matched to said locations in said target area.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying said subset of said plurality of images on said display surface of said computer.
 8. A method, comprising: displaying a graphical user interface on a display surface of a computer; displaying in said graphical user interface a visual representation of a geographic area; generating a visual frame in said visual representation of said geographic area to bound a target area, causing: retrieval of a plurality of images from an image database, each correspondingly matched to target area locations within said target area; and display of said plurality of images on said display surface of said computer; selecting a subset of said plurality of images displayed on said display surface of said computer, each of said subset of said plurality of images correspondingly matched to said target area locations within said target area; and adding one or more images from said image database directly into said subset of images to correspondingly adjust said visual frame in said visual representation of said geographic area to further include said target area locations matched to said one or more images added to said subset of images displayed on said display surface.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising deleting a portion of images from said subset of said plurality images displayed on said display surface to correspondingly adjust said visual frame in said visual representation of said geographic area to exclude said target area locations matched to said portion of images deleted from said subset of said plurality of images displayed on said display surface.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: saving said data associated with said subset of said plurality of images; retrieving said data associated with said subset of said plurality of images; and displaying on said display surface of said computer, said visual representation of said geographic area, said visual frame within said visual representation of said geographic area which bounds said target area, and said subset of said plurality of images correspondingly matched to said target area locations within said target area.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: transferring said data associated with said subset of said plurality of images to one or more client devices; and displaying on a display surface of said one or more client devices, said visual representation of said geographic area, said visual frame within said visual representation of said geographic area-which bounds said target area, and said subset of said plurality of images correspondingly matched to said target area locations within said target area.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising transferring said data associated with said subset of said plurality of images in the form of a pricing request to said one or more client devices.
 13. The method of claim 8, further comprising adjusting said visual frame in said visual representation of said geographic area to adjust said target area in said visual representation of said geographic area to correspondingly alter retrieval of said plurality of images matched to said locations in said target area.
 14. The method of claim 8, further comprising displaying said subset of said plurality of images on said display surface of said computer.
 15. A method, comprising: displaying a graphical user interface on a display surface of a computer; displaying in said graphical user interface a visual representation of a geographic area; generating a visual frame in said visual representation of said geographic area to bound a target area, causing: retrieval of a plurality of images from an image database, each correspondingly matched to location coordinates within said target area; and display of said plurality of images on said display surface of said computer; selecting by user interaction a subset of said plurality of images displayed on said display surface of said computer, each of said subset of said plurality of images correspondingly matched to said location coordinates within said target area; saving data associated with said subset of said plurality of images selected by user interaction; retrieving said data associated with said subset of said plurality of images; and displaying on said display surface of said computer, said visual representation of said geographic area, said visual frame adjusted to bound said target area, and said subset of said plurality of images correspondingly matched to said location coordinates within said visual representation of said geographic.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: transferring said data associated with said subset of said plurality of images to one or more client device; displaying on a display surface of said one or more client devices, said visual representation of said geographic area and said subset of said plurality of images correspondingly matched to said location coordinates within said visual representation of said geographic area.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising transferring said data associated with said subset of said plurality of images in the form of a pricing request to said one or more client devices.
 18. The method of claim 15, further comprising displaying said plurality of images in time bound serial order on said display surface of said computer.
 19. The method of claim 15, further comprising displaying said subset of said plurality of images in time bound serial order on said display surface.
 20. The method of claim 15, further comprising deleting a portion of images from said subset of said plurality images to correspondingly adjust said visual frame in said visual representation of said geographic area to exclude said target area locations matched to said portion of images deleted from said subset of said plurality of images displayed on said display surface.
 21. The method of claim 15, further comprising adding one or more images from said database directly into said subset of images displayed on said display surface said images to correspondingly adjust said visual frame in said visual representation of said geographic area to further include said target area locations matched to said one or more images added to said subset of images displayed on said display surface.
 22. The method of claim 15, further comprising: transferring said data associated with said subset of said plurality of images to one or more client devices; and displaying on a display surface of said one or more client devices, said visual representation of said geographic area and said subset of said plurality of images correspondingly matched to said location coordinates within said a visual representation of a geographic.
 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising transferring said data associated with said subset of said plurality of images in the form of a pricing request to said one or more client devices. 